UPDATE: Senate border vote fails again, losing support from both sides – Politico
Democrats are moving forward with a Senate vote on Thursday on a border bill that failed to pass in February, positioning it as a counter to Republican criticism of their immigration policies, which are perceived as promoting mass illegal migration for economic benefits. This legislative move also seeks to shift the national immigration debate from broader economic impacts to the narrower issue of border management.
Don’t buy the BS about the need for a jammed “border bill” right now. There’s no point in passing new laws when Biden is failing to enforce the laws already on the books. pic.twitter.com/QR2QiQqrku
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) May 23, 2024
The bill, which remains unchanged from its earlier version, aims to streamline the process for migrants to enter the U.S. by expanding asylum and parole pathways, without implementing significant measures to deport illegal immigrants or penalize employers who hire them. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) emphasizes that the bill would bring order to the southwest border, aligning with the objectives of many progressive advocates and Democratic donors. Despite its expected failure, Democrats hope the vote will distract from the broader economic and social issues attributed to President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
As the bill’s defeat in February was influenced by Republican opposition, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) pointedly blamed former President Donald Trump, accusing him of wanting to keep the immigration issue alive for his 2024 presidential campaign. Durbin criticized Republicans for prioritizing political gain over national security.
Republicans, however, argue that the Democrats’ approach to border security is misleading. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) contends that the Democrats’ definition of securing the border actually involves making it easier for the government to process and distribute illegal immigrants across the U.S., without valid asylum claims. He asserts that the bill would allocate $20 billion not to secure the border, but to enhance the efficiency of processing migrants.
“We can stop what’s happening at the southern border; we just won’t under Joe Biden.” It’s a beautiful thing watching Megyn Kelly take Bill Maher to school on the border crisis. Bill can’t help but concede, “You’re right.” pic.twitter.com/BGIwCGNMpj
— BRIAN FRASER (@bfraser747) May 23, 2024
The debate has taken a political tone, with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) calling it a desperate move by Democrats facing unfavorable polls ahead of upcoming elections. He accuses them of trying to deflect responsibility for the immigration crisis they have fostered over the past three years. This sentiment is echoed by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who labels the effort as a mere political stunt.
Democrats, however, continue to defend their immigration strategy as economically beneficial, despite significant public backlash. Biden’s policies have been criticized for flooding the American labor market with low-wage illegal migrants, which opponents argue undermines the wages and opportunities of American workers. This has been a focal point for the Trump campaign, which highlights the adverse economic impacts during its critiques of Biden’s policies.
"The American people are not begging Congress to pass another bill; they want the president to do his job."
Chad Wolf and Derek Maltz slam the Democrats push to revive their border bill on Thursday's "National Report." @ChadFWolf @derekmaltz_sr @ShaunKraisman @EmmaRechenberg pic.twitter.com/Ow4bI1l7EP
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) May 23, 2024
In contrast, Durbin presents the Democrats’ immigration policy as supportive of the economy by providing a path to citizenship for certain groups of immigrants and meeting the demands of various economic sectors. He contrasts the positive contributions of migrants, like those from Ukraine who have settled in Chicago, with Republican efforts to impose stricter immigration controls, such as mandatory employment verification, which he argues would harm the U.S. food supply chain by limiting the workforce.
.@SenSchumer — if you really wanted to secure the border, you’d hold a vote on H.R. 2.
Your sham immigration bill would make Biden’s open border policies permanent, and you know it. pic.twitter.com/nHtQtloUGJ
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) May 23, 2024
As the debate continues, both parties are using the immigration issue to rally their bases, pointing fingers and framing the narrative in a way that supports their political objectives as the November elections approach. This strategic positioning reflects the deeply polarized views on immigration policy in the U.S., making it a central issue in political discourse and policy-making.
Major Points
- Democrats are revisiting a previously failed border bill in the Senate, aiming to refocus the immigration debate from economic impact to border management.
- The unchanged bill seeks to simplify the entry process for migrants via expanded asylum and parole pathways, without substantial deportation measures or penalties for employers of illegal immigrants.
- Republicans criticize the bill as ineffective for actual border security, arguing it merely facilitates the processing and distribution of illegal immigrants across the U.S.
- The political stakes are high, with Democrats facing poor polling and using the bill to shift blame, while Republicans emphasize the economic and social costs of liberal immigration policies.
- The debate highlights deep divisions on immigration, with both parties using the issue to galvanize their bases ahead of upcoming elections.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News